Back To School Season

Today is the first day of school for USD 259 in Wichita.

All over the city young people are headed back to their education and parent’s are jumping up and down with excitement!

The routine that comes with “back to school” always seems to calm nerves and helps me settle back in to a day by day schedule that keeps me motivated to complete tasks. During the summer I procrastinate on a daily basis thinking summer will last forever this time.

It never does. And I always begin September with all the little (?) jobs I had intended on doing during the dog days of summer.

Every year I think “not this summer, this summer I will get it ALL done.” Then – it’s mid-August and BAM… Lot’s to finish up.

But today – being the first day back into our routine – I plan on meandering the back yard, maybe even taking a short nap! and just enjoying this day… (pretty much like every other day of the summer!!)

Global Leadership Summit 2015

This is where I have spent the last two days:

The Global Leadership Summit

This is my Summit Notebook and I have filled it with notes. I so envy all those “young” people around me taking notes on their phones!! I couldn’t even type fast enough to “tweet” the wonderful bits of information given!

(Not only am I a slow tweeter : ) I am also bad at taking “selfies”! Oh, where is my grand when I need her!!!! She is an expert at all of this!!)

Anyway, this is a picture of my beautiful friend Linda. She is our Church Secretary but this week I have renamed her the

“Face of Cross Road Church.” 

For 2 reasons:

1. She is the first person you see when you come in our church or first voice you usually talk to when you call. Plus, as in all ‘organizations’ she is the heart of our church – the go-to woman for any needs!
2. PLUS, she’s just so pretty – not that Pastor Brad, Pastor Bob, Pastor Matt, or Doug aren’t “pretty” – she’s just prettier!  (I didn’t put Audra in this list because she is prettier, too!   Inside and out!)

Anyway, I was fortunate enough to spend these two days with wonderful Christian people!

I chase rabbits so easily.  (sigh)

What I’m writing to say….

I am “pressed down, shaken together and running over” with blessings from God.

My ego was bruised, my heart was broken, my heart was mended and I am filled up again and ready to carry on with God’s Work. We all need a good revival to our souls every now and again. It’s what keeps us going.

I have heard good teaching, good leading, and great preaching. I am full.

Thank you, Bill Hybels for Willow Creek Community Church, and for The Global Leadership Summit. Thank you for listening to that still small voice and following His direction.

Thank you, Lord, for giving me the opportunity to live in this season and to be able to drink at the well you have provided.

Learning New Life Lessons

During Spring Break the big kids came to visit. Randy was going into hospital later that week so we kept them busy.

We did some fun things – went to the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson and we also did yard work. They helped us put mulch in the back flower beds.



          
 


       Josie washing windows.

   

Learning to mow to Papa’s specifications!! 

      

 That was only the introduction! Now let me tell what I came here to write:

I knew I would be mowing once in a while after Randy died.  Michelle has mowed, Heather has mowed, Andru has mowed.

Last week it needed to be mowed. Andru wasn’t here. I’m an adult. How hard can it be, right? – just to let those of you know – I HAVE mowed before. But with a riding mower. I had many acres to mow before Wichita!

So I mowed. My yard is slanted. Uphill or downhill? depends on which way I was pushing that mower! BUT….

NO ONE EVER TOLD ME WHAT THIS LEVER IS FOR!!!

After taking about 4 trips uphill (both ways?) I had to stop to empty the grass and I was thinking “there is NO WAY I will be able to mow this whole yard without PAIN!”

Then, as I was getting ready to start mowing again – after whining for awhile – I thought, “hmmm, I wonder what this lever does.” I pulled it up and low and behold my mower took off without me pushing it….

It was done in no time with minimal effort on my part!!

A new life lesson….